TRAVEL AND TOURS

CUSCO, the mythical capital of the Inca Empire, preserves its huge stone walls and battlements with pride, evoking the greatness of the "Children of the Sun". It's a city full of historical memories and monuments, of legends and myths, which surround you every time you walk through its century old streets.

Cusco was the center, the "navel" of the Inca empire. At 3,360 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.), in the Huatanay valley of the southeastern Andes of Peru, to visit Cusco is an experience you will never forget, as it will allow you to uncover some of the mysteries of the Incas:

Obeying the dictates of his father, the Sun, Manco Capac, the first Inca, founded Cusco in the 11th or 12th century.

Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conqueror of Peru, refounded the Inca city on March 23, 1534, turning it into a Spanish city.

Today, Cusco is the archaeological capital of Peru and America and at the same time a cosmopolitan city that warmly welcomes its visitors. Tourists marvel at the city's unusual appearance, which uniquely and harmoniously integrates, in the same urban environment, pre-Colombian monuments such as the Korikancha, ("Temple of the Sun"), the Ajlla Wasi, the Amaru Cancha ("Fence of the Serpent"), and the Kiswar Kancha, with architectural gems that blend the native with the Spanish such as Cusco Cathedral, the Church and Convent of La Merced and the Temple of San Blas.

The city of Cusco is surrounded by magnificent archaeological remains such as the citadel of Machu Picchu, the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo and picturesque towns such as Pisaq, Calca and Yucay, which still preserve the traditions of their ancestors.

ATTRACTIONS

Day or night, Cusco is a city full of charismatic attractions. Mornings are ideal for strolling through its streets, visiting its churches, wandering about the artisan quarter of San Blas or going to the towns and archeological sites in the surrounding countryside.

At night, the city is dressed up in light and restaurants pubs and discos are the main attractions. In the night, Cusco's offers you a wide variety of places to go out and enjoy yourself, satisfying even the most different demands.

Being in Cusco, it is important to visit the city's Convents and Churches, and the nearby archeological sites as Machu Picchu, Saqsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo.

CHURCHES AND CONVENTS

The Cathedral of Cusco was originally built over the Inca structure of the Kuntur Wasi (currently the Church of El Triunfo). Years later, the Cathedral was rebuilt in the Palace of Inca Wiracocha (Kiswarcancha).

The Church and Convent of Santo Domingo are, without doubt, amongst the most beautiful examples of Spanish architecture superimposed on Inca constructions to be found in Cusco. This complex was built over the Korikancha or Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun).

La Compañía de Jesus, or Jesuit Cathedral, is a splendid stone construction that has, amongst other treasures, a collection of unique "mestizo" paintings. It was built over what was the Amaru Cancha ("Fence of the Serpent") close to Cusco's main square.

The Church and Convent of La Merced, built in 1536, is famous for the shrine of Our Lady of La Merced, decorated with gold and precious stones.